New additions strengthen Robins Kaplan's ability to investigate complex matters, try challenging cases, and pursue accountability.
Some legal experience can only be earned in the courtroom.
Robins Kaplan recently welcomed four former Department of Justice attorneys whose careers were shaped by years of trying cases, leading investigations, and handling some of the most consequential matters the federal government prosecutes.
Allen Slaughter, Bahram Samie, Lauren Roso, and Carla Baumel collectively bring decades of experience from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota and other government roles. Their work has spanned civil rights, healthcare fraud, public corruption, antitrust, organized crime, False Claims Act enforcement, national security, and emerging technologies.
They now bring those skills to Robins Kaplan, helping clients navigate high-stakes disputes, conduct investigations, pursue affirmative claims, and prepare cases for trial. Together, they further strengthen the firm's deep bench of trial lawyers while adding valuable insight into how government investigations are built and how complex cases are won.
A Prosecutor's Perspective on Civil Rights
For Lauren Roso, the transition from federal prosecutor to civil rights litigator wasn't a departure from her career—it was a continuation of the work that has always motivated her.
As an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel, Lauren prosecuted narcotics trafficking, money laundering, violent crime, and national security matters. She also supervised trial teams, mentored younger prosecutors, and handled cases from investigation through trial.
Lauren now focuses her practice on representing individuals in matters involving police misconduct, excessive force, and jail and prison abuse.
Her current work reflects the breadth of today’s civil rights practice. She represents the family of Kingsley Bimpong in a wrongful death action against local law enforcement and county officials; is helping defend the firm’s favorable Eighth Circuit victory in Marks—an excessive force case arising from the 2020 George Floyd protests—before the Supreme Court; is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting; and is handling several matters involving jail officials’ deliberate indifference to inmates’ serious medical needs.
Having spent years working alongside law enforcement while also building and trying complex federal cases, Lauren brings a perspective few civil rights attorneys possess. She understands how investigations are conducted, how evidence is developed, and how government agencies approach litigation. That experience informs her work advocating for individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated.
As Lauren explains:
“During my time at the Department, I fought for justice. At Robins, I continue that fight against the very systems of power that are supposed to uphold it. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to hold state actors accountable for their wrongdoings and show that no one is above the law."
Q&A with Lauren Roso
What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter of your career?
Throughout my career, I’ve been motivated by a commitment to justice and accountability. As a federal prosecutor, that meant pursuing accountability in individual cases, with the hope that enforcing the law would also deter future misconduct. What excites me most about this next chapter is the opportunity to advance those same values on a broader scale. Civil rights litigation allows me to advocate for individual clients who have suffered profound constitutional wrongs while also working toward lasting systemic change. Holding institutions accountable can improve policies, practices, and training in ways that extend far beyond a single case. I’m excited to be part of that effort, especially alongside such esteemed colleagues who have dedicated their careers to this work.
How has your experience working alongside law enforcement shaped the way you approach police misconduct and excessive force cases today?
At the DOJ, I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the finest federal and local law enforcement officers—professionals who were deeply committed not only to protecting the public, but also to safeguarding the constitutional rights of those they investigated. That experience gave me a clear understanding of what good police work looks like, which means I also recognize when officers fall short of their constitutional obligations. That perspective informs every stage of my civil rights practice. It shapes how I evaluate potential cases, assess whether an officer’s actions were objectively reasonable, and develop the evidence needed to prove an officer departed from accepted standards. Ultimately, my experience has reinforced that accountability and effective policing are complementary—not competing—principles.
Many of your clients are taking on institutions with significant power and resources. How do you help prepare them for that process?
Many of our clients feel like the cards are stacked against them—and, in many respects, they are. Law enforcement and other government actors wield tremendous power and resources, which can make the prospect of pursuing a civil rights case feel overwhelming. Our team leads by example. We bring confidence, preparation, and credibility to every case because we know the system inside and out. We shoulder the legal burden so our clients don’t have to, allowing them to focus on healing while knowing they have experienced advocates fighting for them every step of the way.
You've litigated dozens of cases in federal court. What lessons from that experience continue to shape the way you advocate for your clients?
Building a case is ultimately about telling a compelling, credible story. Years of litigating in federal court have given me a strong sense of what judges and juries find persuasive, and that experience continues to shape how I present a case. I’ve also learned that credibility is one of a lawyer’s most valuable assets. Clients benefit from having an advocate who has earned a reputation for being consistently well prepared, trustworthy, and guided by sound judgment.
Finally, federal litigation has taught me that even the best preparation must be paired with the ability to think on your feet. Effective advocacy requires adapting in the moment while staying grounded in the facts, the law, and the client’s story.
Outside of legal victories, what makes you feel you've made a difference for a client?
This isn’t unique to civil rights litigation, but one of the most important things you can do as a lawyer is listen. In many cases, our clients feel that no one has listened to them, believed them, or treated them with dignity—especially if they have been on the wrong side of the criminal justice system, struggle with substance use, or face other stigma or discrimination. While we of course fight to achieve the best legal outcome, I also consider it a meaningful success when a client leaves the representation feeling heard, validated, and cared for throughout the process.
Related Attorneys
Counsel
Counsel
Counsel
Counsel
